specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspe-shəl-tē 

plural specialties

often attributive

1

: a distinctive mark or quality

2

a

: a special object or class of objects: such as

(1)

: a legal agreement embodied in a sealed instrument

(2)

: a product of a special kind or of special excellence

fried chicken is my specialty

b

: the state of being special, distinctive, or peculiar

3

: something in which one specializes

Synonyms

• area
• arena
• bailiwick
• barony
• business
• circle
• demesne
• department
• discipline
• domain
• element
• fief
• fiefdom
• field
• firmament
• front
• game
• kingdom
• line
• precinct
• province
• realm
• sphere
• terrain
• walk

Examples of specialty in a Sentence

Buttermilk pie is a Southern specialty.

a doctor with a specialty in dermatology

Recent Examples on the Web

Hunt’s specialty with the Chiefs this season has certainly changed from when the team first drafted him in 2017. —Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 7 Jan. 2025

Tacos 65’s specialty is Tijuana-style tacos ($3.50, or three for $14.50 with rice and beans), a style trademarked by flour tortillas and healthy dollop of guacamole on top. —Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025

Her specialties include acne, moles, skin cancer, and eczema. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 3 Jan. 2025

His initial specialty was a human resource specialist, a job whose duties included payroll, mail delivery and processing medals. —Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English specialte, from Anglo-French especialté, from Late Latin specialitat-, specialitas, from Latin specialis special

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing specialty

• house specialty
• specialty of the house
• specialty shop
• sub-specialty

Kids Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē 

plural specialties

1

: a product of a special kind or of special excellence

eggs were the cook's specialty

2

: something a person specializes in or has special knowledge of

Medical Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty ˈspesh-əl-tē 

plural specialties

: something (as a branch of medicine) in which one specializes

Legal Definition

specialty

noun

spe·​cial·​ty

plural specialties

1

[from the special form of the contract] : formal contract at contract

2

: a doctrine providing that a person extradited can be prosecuted only for the charges described in the order for extradition

3

: real property (as a parcel of land or especially a structure) that is of such specialized character that no market for it exists and for which value upon condemnation is determined by the cost of reproduction less depreciation

—used especially in New York